For any and all teachers out there, especially elementary school teachers, hats off to you! Bravo! It takes a great deal of patience, love, and understanding to work with children, especially the younger munchkins. Let me tell you, working with kids ain't a walk in the park.
I signed on to take this job teaching dance for a kids day camp at a local college here in the DFW area. From 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m., eight classes a day, about twenty kids a class, four times a week for three weeks. This camp has a pretty big age range, eight to thirteen year olds, and most of them have never had a dance class in their life. I knew it was going to be a good challenge and I knew I was going to learn a lot from this experience. And I learned more on the first day than I ever thought possible.
I've learned that kids are so very creative and will tell you anything that pops into their head. I mean anything. I've learned that being first in line is the ultimate place to stand. I've learned that it is madness to put a children in a giant open cafeteria room, it's the equivalent of releasing them onto a playground. Don't even think of including a stage in there either because all they see is a new jungle gym that's more interesting than you, the teacher.
What else did I learn? That a compliment can go far, that kids need to feel like they have a special job, and that they want to please the teacher. I learned that they show out for attention, that a time out has major power, and that ultimately, they just want to belong with the rest of their classmates. Budding teenagers test the waters, especially with younger teachers, and the right music can make all the difference.
None of these concepts are exactly new, I'm just seeing it all in a new light. This job is opening my eyes to a new understanding of being a teacher, just like my thesis did. I happened upon a great deal of situations that I never had before and I feel all the better for having them. Every new challenge, every new opportunity, I glean a little more and I'm that much more prepared for the next one. Still, I caught myself wondering, why is this particular challenge such a whopper?
First of all, my teaching experience has mostly been with older students, high school to adult and mostly I've taught little girls (Little boys, they are a whole different species all of their very own. Heaven help me if I ever end up with one. I'd love him, but I'd have to educate myself on little boys. I don't even understand half the stuff Pyro Man does--If he's reading this, he's probably be thinking the same thing about me.). Though in class I've thought many a time, "why can't you just act like an adult," I know it's not possible with these kids because, well, they're kids. I simply work with them differently than with my adults. Okay, but how?
Because I've had a good amount of experience with older students, I really had to go back and think like a kid. Sure I know what a basic dance class should be, except now I need to put these classes in kid terms. What's more is that I need to put it all in pedestrian terms for kids whose only dance exposure comes from So You Think You Can Dance, Dance Dance Revolution, and music videos. I'm much more experienced with kids from a dance studio setting where they are exposed to music, movement, and choreography on a weekly if not daily basis.
In preparing for these classes, I had to find ways to relate to these kids. Find music they listened to, games they liked to play, moves they would be able to do, and combos that weren't too hard or too easy for them. They're attention span is short so I planned everything down the line, I couldn't afford to lose focus or I'd lose the class.
All this preparation brought me to a second realization, I never was in a class like this before, at least not at that age. By the time I was seven, I was competing, dancing with older girls, and working on tougher skills. No wonder planning was so difficult; I was having a hard time remembering what it was like to be a normal kid because I never was. I have always taken my training seriously.
All these realizations are good though. It helps me see the background I've come from, take what I know, and find out the rest to put together a stellar class. I need to be a jack of all trades and know as much I can so I can be the best educator. I won't always have older kids or college classes or dance studio jobs. Sometimes it might be a summer day camp with a bunch of kids in a class they're parents signed them up for. Please understand, I'm enjoying it. I've got some great classes that I adore and I've had some proud moments just in this first week with them.
There's nothing like an eight year old bringing you a special bracelet she made for you in the colors that match your shoes. Nothing as cheerful as kids popping into your classroom just to say "hi" or hugging you they before they leave on the second day of class. It warms my heart when parents come in and say, "Oh, we love Miss Julie!" I feel like I'm doing something right. Those are the feel good moments that make it so worth it and make me want to go back and do it again.
So no, I haven't been eaten by munchkins or run over by a bunch of pre-teens. I'm practicing my chases and jazz squares while listening to lots of pop songs. My ears are still adjusting to the massive amounts of Selena Gomez songs. Oddly enough, Beiber is pretty much a bomb with them. I'm still alive, just been too dog tired at the end of the day to do anything but shower, eat, and sleep.
This job is pushing me and teaching me a great deal. It's also reminding me that not every class I teach will be to students who are passionate and serious about dance. Ultimately I just want these kiddos to have a good time. After all, sometimes these classes can be the brightest spot in a kid's day.
Showing posts with label Dancing in Dallas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dancing in Dallas. Show all posts
Friday, July 15, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Dancing In Dallas: Arthur Murray (Ft. Worth)
Since I was a little girl, I've always loved ballroom dancing. I blame the movie Strictly Ballroom for starting it all.
Ballroom is form of social dancing basically created and popularized in the early 1900's by Vernon and Irene Castle. Never heard of them? Yeah, me neither up until a few years ago (Thank you Dance History.). Vernon and Irene have a pretty neat history, but I'll give you a basic sum-up of their work.
Vernon and Irene were both performers and after an accidental meeting, they fell in love and got married. Thus the dynamic duo was formed (Keep in mind this is a pretty brief history report and that I'm leaving out their lives prior to their partnership.). They traveled to Paris to perform as a dancing act. Unfortunately their show closed, luckily they were hired at a Parisian Cafe, the Cafe de Paris, as a dance act and they're success exploded. They became an overnight sensation and news of their success traveled to the US.
When they returned, Irene and Vernon Castle were all the rage. Everyone wanted to dance like them, dress like them, style their hair like them, and more. They were a very big deal for that time. They opened up a studio in New York, the Castle House, and taught people all the latest dances including The Bunny Hug, The Fox Trot, The Castle Waltz (hmmm, wonder where they got that name from...?), The Turkey Trot, and The Tango.
Sadly their time together did not last long. Vernon returned to his homeland in England to be a pilot for the Royal army during WWI. He was asked to train pilots for the US Air Force in Ft. Worth, TX. While at Benbrook Field, there was a accident with a student that killed Vernon. Tragic ending.
So now you know where ballroom dancing came from. There's your short history lesson for today. There's actually a wonderful movie about the Castles starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. If you're like me, a sentimental gal, you'll cry at the end.
I say Strictly Ballroom sparked my interest in the dance style and yet I'd be lying if I didn't mention Fred and Ginger. Old time classics my friends, they are saturated with incredible duets between amazing dancers like Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, Vera-Ellen, and Donald O'Connor. There are many more I could go on about.
OK, enough history. Ballroom dancing, it's dreamy and I've only had a few opportunities to try my hand at it. When I was in middle school, I had the opportunity to attend cotillon at our local country club. Basically you learn how to be ladies and gentlemen, dress up, wear the white gloves, and learn about social dances. It's every eleven year old's dream, right? Well, for me I thought it was great.
When I went to Broadway Theater Project many moons ago, the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom came out, another great movie. Ann Reinking took the entire student body of BTP to see the documentary and then we all had a couple of classes with Pierre Dulaine. Heaven. I was in heaven...it was splendid! While I was Oklahoma City I found a ballroom studio that I took a few lessons with and I really enjoyed learning these timeless dances all over again.
Finally, to tell you about my latest Dancing in Dallas experience! I'm getting married next spring and one of the most anticipated parts of the reception is the first dance between husband and wife. Clearly for me, this part is a big deal. I love to dance and I refuse to stand there swaying side to side when we've got a whole floor he can twirl me around for the night.
Ladies, I'm going to have to brag on my man for a minute. He WANTS to learn how to dance. Do you realize how big of a deal this is?! I don't have to bribe/fuss/cry/beat/drag him to take a class. Pyro Man wants to learn how to dance and he's been on my case for the past few months about how we need learn!
Gosh, I love that man.
Earlier this week I got a wild hair. I called an Arthur Murray location that's just down the street from Pyro Man (Score!) and set up an appointment for us to try out a class. It. Was. Fabulous. We had a great instructor named Jeremy who made us laugh and feel incredibly comfortable. My main concern was for Pyro Man to feel relaxed during the lesson. Even though he wants to learn doesn't mean that he wasn't a bit nervous, dancing can be hard for a lot of people who aren't used to it.
We learned a lot about connection, really working with our partner. I learned that I can't lead, dang it. That's a hard habit to break. Jeremy got us started on the Fox Trot which will work wonderfully for our first dance (Can't tell you what the song is...yet!). We even got to try the Two-Step which is exactly like the Fox Trot only it has a different rhythm. Last, we learned the Merengue! It's fairly simple and lots of fun. Now we need to work on our timing.
The manager was really nice and the whole place was very friendly. He had us fill out forms that gave them a chance to find out more about us, what we're wanting to get out of the program, and what we're like as a couple. I greatly appreciated the time spent on getting to know us because hey, ballroom dancing is an intimate affair. You're connected the entire time, dancing in sync, and I've got to follow my partner no matter where he goes--I'd better be comfortable with him! The better they know how we want to spend these lessons, the easier it is for them to help us get what we need.
It's a large studio floor with lots of lessons going on. That always floors me. This one studio is used for multiple lessons, not just one couple. It helps dancers get used to moving around each other in (hello) a social setting. The studio also hosts several group classes where other couples come in and dance, trade partners, practice different dances, and have fun.
Arthur Murray is an international franchise with 280 locations. Chances are, you can find a class somewhere near you.
Class Cost: $25 with an online coupon or $50 for an introductory class
Class Time: 30-40 minutes
Schedule: Check with your local studio. Click here for your state. They also have studios in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Since this is Dancing in Dallas, here are the Texas locations.
They offer several packages if you decide you want to continue with lessons. They usually include private sessions and group classes. Pyro Man and I have crazy schedules right now so we're not sure what we'd like to do. It might just be a matter of private lessons for a while.
Pyro Man and I had a fabulous time. There's something special about getting to dance with the one you love, starring into each other's eyes and twirling around the floor like you're on a cloud. I know, a little mushy, but it's so true. He makes me laugh and I feel ever so comfortable with him. He is actually pretty light on his feet and get's got some rhythm, despite his protests. I'm just so happy that hee really enjoyed the experience!
I'm excited to have this new activity with him--it's neat watching him learn a little about my world. We've got lots of time to enjoy this experience, too. There's no pressure and that takes a good deal of stress off. We both can't wait for the next lesson! It won't be too long before we're real pros at this! He is the Fred to my Ginger. And now, I leave you with one of my all time favorite quotes:
Heck yes! Happy Friday and have a Happy Fourth of July!
If you haven't seen it, rush right out tonight and watch it. Great dancing, gorgeous costumes, and so off beat you can't help but love it. I only have a VHS copy of it, it's on my to-do to find the DVD. That's besides the point.
Ballroom is form of social dancing basically created and popularized in the early 1900's by Vernon and Irene Castle. Never heard of them? Yeah, me neither up until a few years ago (Thank you Dance History.). Vernon and Irene have a pretty neat history, but I'll give you a basic sum-up of their work.
Vernon and Irene were both performers and after an accidental meeting, they fell in love and got married. Thus the dynamic duo was formed (Keep in mind this is a pretty brief history report and that I'm leaving out their lives prior to their partnership.). They traveled to Paris to perform as a dancing act. Unfortunately their show closed, luckily they were hired at a Parisian Cafe, the Cafe de Paris, as a dance act and they're success exploded. They became an overnight sensation and news of their success traveled to the US.
Sadly their time together did not last long. Vernon returned to his homeland in England to be a pilot for the Royal army during WWI. He was asked to train pilots for the US Air Force in Ft. Worth, TX. While at Benbrook Field, there was a accident with a student that killed Vernon. Tragic ending.
So now you know where ballroom dancing came from. There's your short history lesson for today. There's actually a wonderful movie about the Castles starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. If you're like me, a sentimental gal, you'll cry at the end.
OK, enough history. Ballroom dancing, it's dreamy and I've only had a few opportunities to try my hand at it. When I was in middle school, I had the opportunity to attend cotillon at our local country club. Basically you learn how to be ladies and gentlemen, dress up, wear the white gloves, and learn about social dances. It's every eleven year old's dream, right? Well, for me I thought it was great.
When I went to Broadway Theater Project many moons ago, the documentary Mad Hot Ballroom came out, another great movie. Ann Reinking took the entire student body of BTP to see the documentary and then we all had a couple of classes with Pierre Dulaine. Heaven. I was in heaven...it was splendid! While I was Oklahoma City I found a ballroom studio that I took a few lessons with and I really enjoyed learning these timeless dances all over again.
Finally, to tell you about my latest Dancing in Dallas experience! I'm getting married next spring and one of the most anticipated parts of the reception is the first dance between husband and wife. Clearly for me, this part is a big deal. I love to dance and I refuse to stand there swaying side to side when we've got a whole floor he can twirl me around for the night.
Ladies, I'm going to have to brag on my man for a minute. He WANTS to learn how to dance. Do you realize how big of a deal this is?! I don't have to bribe/fuss/cry/beat/drag him to take a class. Pyro Man wants to learn how to dance and he's been on my case for the past few months about how we need learn!
Gosh, I love that man.
Earlier this week I got a wild hair. I called an Arthur Murray location that's just down the street from Pyro Man (Score!) and set up an appointment for us to try out a class. It. Was. Fabulous. We had a great instructor named Jeremy who made us laugh and feel incredibly comfortable. My main concern was for Pyro Man to feel relaxed during the lesson. Even though he wants to learn doesn't mean that he wasn't a bit nervous, dancing can be hard for a lot of people who aren't used to it.
We learned a lot about connection, really working with our partner. I learned that I can't lead, dang it. That's a hard habit to break. Jeremy got us started on the Fox Trot which will work wonderfully for our first dance (Can't tell you what the song is...yet!). We even got to try the Two-Step which is exactly like the Fox Trot only it has a different rhythm. Last, we learned the Merengue! It's fairly simple and lots of fun. Now we need to work on our timing.
The manager was really nice and the whole place was very friendly. He had us fill out forms that gave them a chance to find out more about us, what we're wanting to get out of the program, and what we're like as a couple. I greatly appreciated the time spent on getting to know us because hey, ballroom dancing is an intimate affair. You're connected the entire time, dancing in sync, and I've got to follow my partner no matter where he goes--I'd better be comfortable with him! The better they know how we want to spend these lessons, the easier it is for them to help us get what we need.
It's a large studio floor with lots of lessons going on. That always floors me. This one studio is used for multiple lessons, not just one couple. It helps dancers get used to moving around each other in (hello) a social setting. The studio also hosts several group classes where other couples come in and dance, trade partners, practice different dances, and have fun.
Arthur Murray is an international franchise with 280 locations. Chances are, you can find a class somewhere near you.
Class Cost: $25 with an online coupon or $50 for an introductory class
Class Time: 30-40 minutes
Schedule: Check with your local studio. Click here for your state. They also have studios in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. Since this is Dancing in Dallas, here are the Texas locations.
They offer several packages if you decide you want to continue with lessons. They usually include private sessions and group classes. Pyro Man and I have crazy schedules right now so we're not sure what we'd like to do. It might just be a matter of private lessons for a while.
Pyro Man and I had a fabulous time. There's something special about getting to dance with the one you love, starring into each other's eyes and twirling around the floor like you're on a cloud. I know, a little mushy, but it's so true. He makes me laugh and I feel ever so comfortable with him. He is actually pretty light on his feet and get's got some rhythm, despite his protests. I'm just so happy that hee really enjoyed the experience!
I'm excited to have this new activity with him--it's neat watching him learn a little about my world. We've got lots of time to enjoy this experience, too. There's no pressure and that takes a good deal of stress off. We both can't wait for the next lesson! It won't be too long before we're real pros at this! He is the Fred to my Ginger. And now, I leave you with one of my all time favorite quotes:
"Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but backwards and in high heels!" - Bob Thaves
Heck yes! Happy Friday and have a Happy Fourth of July!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Dancing in Dallas: Pro League Prep Dance
Monday I took myself down to Power House of Dance in Frisco again. There was a class that kept popping up, peeking my interest, Pro League Prep. You may ask, "What in the world is a Pro League Prep class?" Well, I'll tell you.
Pro League Prep is a class for those who are interested in training to be on a professional dance team such as:
And there's a new team in town, too. The Texas Legends Dancers! They have auditions coming up at the end of July. In any case, these classes prepare the dancers for these auditions by giving combinations similar to what they would perform at the games. It. Is. Fun.
First of all, what lady doesn't like pretending for an hour that they're a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader in that famous uniform? The dances are energetic, sexy, and entertaining! Don't think it's all about shaking it out there. There's a whole technical element dancers can't forget about. Every turn, every kick, and step has to be sharp, clean and precise. Luckily we had an excellent instructor for the class.
Leslie Shaw-Hatchard coached us through every step, offering helpful tips including how to look sassy without going overboard. Leslie is an extremely experienced teacher with a great background in pro league dancing. She was a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, even a Mavericks Dancer and is currently the director of the Texas Legends. I actually had the pleasure of knowing Leslie from when I was a student at Broadway Dance Center in Garland. It was great having a class with her again!
Sometimes what makes or breaks the class is the teacher and I can tell you this class is worth taking just because Leslie is so much fun! She started us off with a little stretching, getting warmed up before we really started dancing. After that, it was all about choreography. She builds on a combination throughout the week, starts the combo Monday and adds on the following two classes. It's a smart strategy, especially in a prep class. Dancers can take the class how they want. One day they can focus on getting used to the style and the next picking up the choreography more quickly.
The class is an hour long and I guarantee you will sweat. It's high energy, extremely fun, and well worth the try. The class is offered at both the Dallas and Frisco locations of Dallas Power House and with a couple other teachers.
Class Cost: $15
Class Time: Hour
Schedule: Monday-Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30. Check Here for specifics.
Where: Dallas Power House of Dance, Frisco
If you missed my first post about Power House of Dance in Frisco, you can check it out here. Next class I took this week? Well, it's a special surprise! Stay tuned for the next Dancing in Dallas!
Pro League Prep is a class for those who are interested in training to be on a professional dance team such as:
The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders
The Dallas Mavericks Dancers
The Dallas Vigilantes Dancers
First of all, what lady doesn't like pretending for an hour that they're a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader in that famous uniform? The dances are energetic, sexy, and entertaining! Don't think it's all about shaking it out there. There's a whole technical element dancers can't forget about. Every turn, every kick, and step has to be sharp, clean and precise. Luckily we had an excellent instructor for the class.
Leslie Shaw-Hatchard coached us through every step, offering helpful tips including how to look sassy without going overboard. Leslie is an extremely experienced teacher with a great background in pro league dancing. She was a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader, even a Mavericks Dancer and is currently the director of the Texas Legends. I actually had the pleasure of knowing Leslie from when I was a student at Broadway Dance Center in Garland. It was great having a class with her again!
Sometimes what makes or breaks the class is the teacher and I can tell you this class is worth taking just because Leslie is so much fun! She started us off with a little stretching, getting warmed up before we really started dancing. After that, it was all about choreography. She builds on a combination throughout the week, starts the combo Monday and adds on the following two classes. It's a smart strategy, especially in a prep class. Dancers can take the class how they want. One day they can focus on getting used to the style and the next picking up the choreography more quickly.
The class is an hour long and I guarantee you will sweat. It's high energy, extremely fun, and well worth the try. The class is offered at both the Dallas and Frisco locations of Dallas Power House and with a couple other teachers.
Class Cost: $15
Class Time: Hour
Schedule: Monday-Thursday from 7:30 to 9:30. Check Here for specifics.
Where: Dallas Power House of Dance, Frisco
If you missed my first post about Power House of Dance in Frisco, you can check it out here. Next class I took this week? Well, it's a special surprise! Stay tuned for the next Dancing in Dallas!
Friday, June 24, 2011
Dancing in Dallas: Centre of Dance
This morning I rolled my happy self out of bed to try something I've yet to do, Zumba. It's the Jazzercise of today, Latin dance aerobics to a strong salsa beat. So to an extent, this is still considered in the dance realm. OR if nothing else, this is a great work out for dancers.
In my quest for new studios, I came across Centre of Dance. They have several adult classes that I'll list at the end, one of which is Zumba. The class is taught by Frankie Branham, a spit-fire of a woman with a strawberry blonde pixie cut. She is energetic, engaging, open, and friendly. I adored her from the word "go." I met her on the way in and she took time visiting with me, telling me a little about the studio, and introducing me to other participants. If that doesn't make you feel welcome, I don't know what will.
The class is non-stop constant cardio, moving around the room, keeping a solid beat, and shaking it like there's no tomorrow. "Wiggle it!" Frankie calls out and off our hips go, booties shaking, and shoulders shimmying. Not five minutes into the first combo and I was drenched with sweat. Each combination is much like a dance. For three to five minutes, you follow the instructor, consistently moving, and dancing to a strong Latin beat. Frankie took us a through a series of combinations, calling out cues and words of encouragement. There's a welcomed cool down for the last five minutes of class and that's the end of your hour workout.
It's really fun and though I may not be working on perfect turn out or extension, my heart rate is up, my abs and my gluteus maximus are on fire, and I'm having the time of my life. The music makes me feel like I'm in a salsa dancing club. I feel like I should be wearing a flirty dress, spinning across the floor with a rose pinned in my wild hair. By the time I was half-way through the class, that daydream turned into me devouring a whole bowl of chips and salsa with a good margarita on the rocks. Whatever keeps you going, right?
Alright! Information:
Class Cost: $15 (Although, first trial of class is on Frankie)
Class Time: Hour
Schedule: Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Thursday from 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
*Summer classes last from now until August 5th.
Address:
7517 Campbell Road, Suite 400
Dallas, TX 75248
Email: centrefordance@yahoo.com
Phone: 972-248-1112
Frankie did say her summer classes have dwindled down in size. Today's consisted total of three ladies, myself and two older woman. However, Frankie does teach at the University of Texas at Dallas on Tuesday and Thursday night from 8:00 to 9:00. She said these classes usually brought in some students around my age.
If you don't want to take Zumba, you can try these other Adult Classes:
Monday:
8:00 p.m. - Advanced Hip-Hop
8:00 p.m. - Pro Team Audition Prep
Tuesday:
7:00 p.m. - Ballet
8:00 p.m. - Beginner Hip-Hop
8:00 p.m. - Dallas Stars Ice Girls Prep
Wednesday:
7:00 p.m. - Beginner Hip-Hop
8:00 p.m. - Jazz Contemporary
8:00 p.m. - Intermediate Hip-hop
Thursday:
7:00 p.m. - Hip-Hop Hustle
8:00 p.m. - Hip-Hop Heels
I'm curious to try the Pro Team Prep class. There's also one at both locations of Power House. Anyone interested in trying one with me?
Next on my list of classes to try, baton twirling! Just kidding! Guess you'll have to stay posted for the next class and studio to try!
In my quest for new studios, I came across Centre of Dance. They have several adult classes that I'll list at the end, one of which is Zumba. The class is taught by Frankie Branham, a spit-fire of a woman with a strawberry blonde pixie cut. She is energetic, engaging, open, and friendly. I adored her from the word "go." I met her on the way in and she took time visiting with me, telling me a little about the studio, and introducing me to other participants. If that doesn't make you feel welcome, I don't know what will.
The class is non-stop constant cardio, moving around the room, keeping a solid beat, and shaking it like there's no tomorrow. "Wiggle it!" Frankie calls out and off our hips go, booties shaking, and shoulders shimmying. Not five minutes into the first combo and I was drenched with sweat. Each combination is much like a dance. For three to five minutes, you follow the instructor, consistently moving, and dancing to a strong Latin beat. Frankie took us a through a series of combinations, calling out cues and words of encouragement. There's a welcomed cool down for the last five minutes of class and that's the end of your hour workout.
It's really fun and though I may not be working on perfect turn out or extension, my heart rate is up, my abs and my gluteus maximus are on fire, and I'm having the time of my life. The music makes me feel like I'm in a salsa dancing club. I feel like I should be wearing a flirty dress, spinning across the floor with a rose pinned in my wild hair. By the time I was half-way through the class, that daydream turned into me devouring a whole bowl of chips and salsa with a good margarita on the rocks. Whatever keeps you going, right?
Alright! Information:
Class Cost: $15 (Although, first trial of class is on Frankie)
Class Time: Hour
Schedule: Monday/Wednesday/Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Thursday from 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
*Summer classes last from now until August 5th.
Address:
7517 Campbell Road, Suite 400
Dallas, TX 75248
Email: centrefordance@yahoo.com
Phone: 972-248-1112
Frankie did say her summer classes have dwindled down in size. Today's consisted total of three ladies, myself and two older woman. However, Frankie does teach at the University of Texas at Dallas on Tuesday and Thursday night from 8:00 to 9:00. She said these classes usually brought in some students around my age.
If you don't want to take Zumba, you can try these other Adult Classes:
Monday:
8:00 p.m. - Advanced Hip-Hop
8:00 p.m. - Pro Team Audition Prep
Tuesday:
7:00 p.m. - Ballet
8:00 p.m. - Beginner Hip-Hop
8:00 p.m. - Dallas Stars Ice Girls Prep
Wednesday:
7:00 p.m. - Beginner Hip-Hop
8:00 p.m. - Jazz Contemporary
8:00 p.m. - Intermediate Hip-hop
Thursday:
7:00 p.m. - Hip-Hop Hustle
8:00 p.m. - Hip-Hop Heels
I'm curious to try the Pro Team Prep class. There's also one at both locations of Power House. Anyone interested in trying one with me?
Next on my list of classes to try, baton twirling! Just kidding! Guess you'll have to stay posted for the next class and studio to try!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Dancing in Dallas: Power House of Dance (Frisco)
Last week I was excited to get down and funky in a hip-hop class, hoping I could get a little more comfortable in the style before I started teaching for a summer camp. I wish I had a hilarious story for you about my experience. You know, one where I got down with my bad self, split my pants, and took down a whole group of dancers while trying to bust a move. Alas, I have no such tale because I did not double check the dates when classes started at this studio. I was a week too early. *Sigh* So goes life, but I was able to take last night!
No accidents last night nor did I split my pants. I did, however, have an excellent time at Power House of Dance in Frisco with instructor Ashley Pia. In a class of five, two of whom were sweet, sweet friends that came with me, we learned a good chunk of choreography including formations and formation changes. It's an incredibly smart teaching tool, getting students used to doing more than dance in one place. Ashley explained how much she liked to do that with her students so that when they started new works, they were already used to the idea of moving around the stage more. It's no wonder she was just made Company Director of their Frisco Hip-Hop Company!
Ashley didn't just throw the choreography out there for us to flounder in. She took the steps and explained the feel of it us, taking time to correct students, and making them feel comfortable. I have to say, this teacher will keep you in stitches. She's got a sense of humor that relaxes you and makes you feel less nervous. I probably spent a majority of the time laughing at her quips that helped melt away my self-conciousness on the spot.
We spent a majority of the time working on choreography and running our combo. The last few minutes of class were used for cooling down by following what she did. Repeating general and basic hip-hop moves allowed my body to get used to the movement. It's a great teaching method to use in tap, too. Imitating her style was challenging for me. Rib isolation, hip isolation, I've got that. There's a relaxed engaged pulse of the body that requires so much energy and yet, it's as smooth and chill as can be--that's the tough part! It's like working your behind off in ballet to make movement look elegant, graceful, and effortless. It's a dichotomy between appearance and execution.
All in all it was a great, fun class and I will surely be back there to take again! Anyone who wants to come, here's the info:
Class Cost: $15 a class
Class Time: Hour
Schedule: June 20th - August 22nd
Close July 4th through July 10th
If you click on Ashley's name at the top of this post, you'll find her teaching schedule. For the most part, she teaches Monday-Thursday from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Address:
10850 Frisco Street, Suite 200
Frisco, Texas 75034
Email: office@powerhouseofdance.net
Phone: 214-387-0193
There is also a Dallas location if Frisco is not close to you:
12300 Inwood Rd, #124
Dallas, Texas 75244 Email: dance@dallaspowerhouse.com
Phone: 972.960.2484
Where will I end up next and what will I take? Who knows! Stay tuned for more Dancing in Dallas!
No accidents last night nor did I split my pants. I did, however, have an excellent time at Power House of Dance in Frisco with instructor Ashley Pia. In a class of five, two of whom were sweet, sweet friends that came with me, we learned a good chunk of choreography including formations and formation changes. It's an incredibly smart teaching tool, getting students used to doing more than dance in one place. Ashley explained how much she liked to do that with her students so that when they started new works, they were already used to the idea of moving around the stage more. It's no wonder she was just made Company Director of their Frisco Hip-Hop Company!
Ashley didn't just throw the choreography out there for us to flounder in. She took the steps and explained the feel of it us, taking time to correct students, and making them feel comfortable. I have to say, this teacher will keep you in stitches. She's got a sense of humor that relaxes you and makes you feel less nervous. I probably spent a majority of the time laughing at her quips that helped melt away my self-conciousness on the spot.
We spent a majority of the time working on choreography and running our combo. The last few minutes of class were used for cooling down by following what she did. Repeating general and basic hip-hop moves allowed my body to get used to the movement. It's a great teaching method to use in tap, too. Imitating her style was challenging for me. Rib isolation, hip isolation, I've got that. There's a relaxed engaged pulse of the body that requires so much energy and yet, it's as smooth and chill as can be--that's the tough part! It's like working your behind off in ballet to make movement look elegant, graceful, and effortless. It's a dichotomy between appearance and execution.
All in all it was a great, fun class and I will surely be back there to take again! Anyone who wants to come, here's the info:
Class Cost: $15 a class
Class Time: Hour
Schedule: June 20th - August 22nd
Close July 4th through July 10th
If you click on Ashley's name at the top of this post, you'll find her teaching schedule. For the most part, she teaches Monday-Thursday from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
Address:
10850 Frisco Street, Suite 200
Frisco, Texas 75034
Email: office@powerhouseofdance.net
Phone: 214-387-0193
There is also a Dallas location if Frisco is not close to you:
12300 Inwood Rd, #124
Dallas, Texas 75244 Email: dance@dallaspowerhouse.com
Phone: 972.960.2484
Where will I end up next and what will I take? Who knows! Stay tuned for more Dancing in Dallas!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Dancing in Dallas: Dallas Ballet Center
Hey fellow dancers in Dallas! This is a first of many, I hope. Last week I decided I was going to try out different dance studios around Dallas and Ft. Worth and then post my findings here. If you want complete details, check it out here.
My first studio to blog about: Dallas Ballet Center.
I started taking at Dallas Ballet Center (DBC) about ten years ago. The studio is under the direction of Judy and Brent Klopfenstein, a wonderful couple who have built a fantastic studio. I really like the environment of this studio, very family oriented and encouraging. The best part? Great adult ballet classes.
I go to their Adult Advanced Ballet class taught by Cyndi Jones. The class is full of a variety of dancers. Some are elder ballerinas, some teenage ballerinas, dancers who are staying shape, new dancers following a dream. Whatever your status is, this class is for you.
Cyndi starts the class off with a theraputic barre before delving into plies. We have a solid hour of barre that works every part of the body. I find that no matter where you are in your training, beginner or advanced, her barre is definitely a work out. She gives you freedom to adjust the combinations to fit what you need. For example, for an advanced dancer, do your rond de jambe en l'air combination on releve instead of flat. Add additional beats to your jumps, turns at the barre, what have you. Adjustments like this allow the dancer to get what they need out of the class.
Barre ends with a barre stretch followed by free floor stretches and a short series of crunches. We move on to centre work, adagio, turns, and allegro. Her class is all about moving and enjoying class. The class is challenging without being too hard on the body. I find that if I've been away from class, this is a great one to take to get back into things again.
Class Cost: $15 a class or buy a class card
*Class Card pricing depends on the number of classes you wish to take.
1-6 classes = $15 per class
7-11 classes = $12 per class
12+ classes = $10 per class
Class Time: Hour and a half
Schedule:
June 20th - August 6th
Adult Beg. - Sat. 9:30 - 11:00 am
Adult Beg/Int. - Thurs. 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Adult Int. Adv. - Mon/Wed 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Tues/Thurs/Sat 9:30 - 11:00 am
I know there will be classes the rest of this week (June 6th through the 11th), but not next week (June 13th through 18th). I hope this helps some of the dancers out there and maybe I'll see you in class!
My first studio to blog about: Dallas Ballet Center.
I started taking at Dallas Ballet Center (DBC) about ten years ago. The studio is under the direction of Judy and Brent Klopfenstein, a wonderful couple who have built a fantastic studio. I really like the environment of this studio, very family oriented and encouraging. The best part? Great adult ballet classes.
I go to their Adult Advanced Ballet class taught by Cyndi Jones. The class is full of a variety of dancers. Some are elder ballerinas, some teenage ballerinas, dancers who are staying shape, new dancers following a dream. Whatever your status is, this class is for you.
Cyndi starts the class off with a theraputic barre before delving into plies. We have a solid hour of barre that works every part of the body. I find that no matter where you are in your training, beginner or advanced, her barre is definitely a work out. She gives you freedom to adjust the combinations to fit what you need. For example, for an advanced dancer, do your rond de jambe en l'air combination on releve instead of flat. Add additional beats to your jumps, turns at the barre, what have you. Adjustments like this allow the dancer to get what they need out of the class.
Barre ends with a barre stretch followed by free floor stretches and a short series of crunches. We move on to centre work, adagio, turns, and allegro. Her class is all about moving and enjoying class. The class is challenging without being too hard on the body. I find that if I've been away from class, this is a great one to take to get back into things again.
Class Cost: $15 a class or buy a class card
*Class Card pricing depends on the number of classes you wish to take.
1-6 classes = $15 per class
7-11 classes = $12 per class
12+ classes = $10 per class
Class Time: Hour and a half
Schedule:
June 20th - August 6th
Adult Beg. - Sat. 9:30 - 11:00 am
Adult Beg/Int. - Thurs. 12:00 - 1:30 pm
Adult Int. Adv. - Mon/Wed 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Tues/Thurs/Sat 9:30 - 11:00 am
I know there will be classes the rest of this week (June 6th through the 11th), but not next week (June 13th through 18th). I hope this helps some of the dancers out there and maybe I'll see you in class!
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Dancing in Dallas
So I graduated, right? Like five months ago and I've found that there are some definite things about school that I miss:
1) Having a busy schedule with due dates, big projects, deadlines, and creative stress. But that's not the point of this post. This is:
2) Having at least two dance classes a day.
I cannot tell you how much of a difference it makes when you go from a regimented schedule of dancing to a sporadic schedule of classes here and there. Part of this comes from the problem that I just don't know where to go, more specifically, where to go for adult classes. Let's be honest, it's not my first choice to a high school competition jazz class, but I would do it if it meant I got to take a jazz class at all. I don't live in NYC, the mecca for dancing artists, I live in Dallas and although there are a lot of studios, I don't have a clear direction to go.
In any case, this particular post is not for complaining. I'm hoping for any dancers in Dallas this might be of some help. For the next month I'll be trying classes at different studios and then positing about it here. Why? Well for one thing, it gets me moving and dancing more. For another, it's a way to help adult Dallas dancers find something out there whether it's for the summer or the rest of the year. There's nothing more frustrating than not being able to do what you love.
*Warning: These posts are not for critiquing. If anything, these posts are informational. I'll let you know what kind of class (Ballet, Jazz, Tap, other), where, how much, how long, and what you'll find there.
If you know of classes that you like, tell me! If you know of a class, but don't want to try it out alone, contact me--I'd love to try new things. I hope this helps out some dancers in the area!
1) Having a busy schedule with due dates, big projects, deadlines, and creative stress. But that's not the point of this post. This is:
2) Having at least two dance classes a day.
I cannot tell you how much of a difference it makes when you go from a regimented schedule of dancing to a sporadic schedule of classes here and there. Part of this comes from the problem that I just don't know where to go, more specifically, where to go for adult classes. Let's be honest, it's not my first choice to a high school competition jazz class, but I would do it if it meant I got to take a jazz class at all. I don't live in NYC, the mecca for dancing artists, I live in Dallas and although there are a lot of studios, I don't have a clear direction to go.
In any case, this particular post is not for complaining. I'm hoping for any dancers in Dallas this might be of some help. For the next month I'll be trying classes at different studios and then positing about it here. Why? Well for one thing, it gets me moving and dancing more. For another, it's a way to help adult Dallas dancers find something out there whether it's for the summer or the rest of the year. There's nothing more frustrating than not being able to do what you love.
*Warning: These posts are not for critiquing. If anything, these posts are informational. I'll let you know what kind of class (Ballet, Jazz, Tap, other), where, how much, how long, and what you'll find there.
If you know of classes that you like, tell me! If you know of a class, but don't want to try it out alone, contact me--I'd love to try new things. I hope this helps out some dancers in the area!
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